Annual Wage Review 2026-27 — Decision Tracker & Pay Impact Calculator
The Fair Work Commission's 2026-27 Annual Wage Review decision (handed down 2 June 2026) lifts the National Minimum Wage 6% to $26.44/hr and modern award rates 4.75%, effective 1 July 2026. Calculate your pay rise below.
Decision is in (2 June 2026): the National Minimum Wage rises about 5.97% to $26.44/hr ($1,004.90/week) and modern award rates rise 4.75% — effective the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Calculate your increase below.
Decision announced — 2 June 2026
National Minimum Wage rises about 5.97% to $26.44/hr ($1,004.90/week). All modern award minimum rates rise 4.75% (the lowest C13/C14 classifications are lifted to the new $26.44 floor). New rates apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026.
Calculate your pay impact
Enter your base hourly rate from before 1 July 2026 and pick the confirmed increase that applies to you — +6% if you're on the National Minimum Wage, or +4.75% if you're on a modern award rate. See what the 1 July 2026 increase means for your weekly, fortnightly, and annual pay.
Default $24.95 = the National Minimum Wage before 1 July 2026 (the +6% takes it to $26.44). Use your award/award level rate for a personalised result.
Use +6% (National Minimum Wage) or +4.75% (modern award rate) — the confirmed 2026-27 figures.
Your new hourly rate
$26.45/hr
That's +$1.50/hr on your pre-increase rate.
| Period | Before 1 July | From 1 July | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $24.95 | $26.45 | +$1.50 |
| Weekly (38h) | $948.10 | $1,004.99 | +$56.89 |
| Fortnightly | $1,896.20 | $2,009.97 | +$113.77 |
| Annual | $49,301.20 | $52,259.27 | +$2,958.07 |
Calculations assume 38 ordinary hours per week × 52 weeks per year. Excludes overtime, penalty rates, casual loading, and tax. Based on the FWC's 2026-27 decision (2 June 2026), effective 1 July 2026.
2026-27 Submissions to the Expert Panel
What the major parties argued for. The Panel landed on 6% for the National Minimum Wage (above every submission) and 4.75% for award rates, citing the real-wage position of the low-paid against inflation.
| Party | Position | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| ACTU (unions) | +5.0% real wage increase | Cost of living, productivity catch-up. |
| Australian Industry Group (employers) | +2.5% (cap) | Inflation slowing, business pressure. |
| Australian Council of Small Business | +2.0% | Small business margin pressure. |
| Australian Government | Real wage increase consistent with sustainable growth | Treasury supports above-inflation increase but no specific number. |
| Fair Work Ombudsman | Neutral / observer | Provides data but does not advocate a number. |
Recent Annual Wage Review decisions
Historical context. Recent National Minimum Wage increases have ranged from 2.5% to 6%.
| Review year | % increase | New min wage | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 5.97% | $26.44/hr | 1 July 2026 |
| 2024-25 | 3.50% | $24.95/hr | 1 July 2025 |
| 2023-24 | 3.75% | $24.10/hr | 1 July 2024 |
| 2022-23 | 5.75% | $23.23/hr | 1 July 2023 |
| 2021-22 | 5.20% | $21.97/hr | 1 July 2022 |
| 2020-21 | 2.50% | $20.33/hr | 1 July 2021 |
Source: Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review decisions, 2021-2025.
How the Annual Wage Review works
- January-March: Statement of Issues from the Expert Panel. Public consultation opens.
- March-May: Written submissions from unions, employers, government, FWO, ACOSS, and academic experts.
- May: Public hearings. Each major party makes oral arguments.
- Early June: Decision announced. The National Minimum Wage and all Modern Award rates are determined.
- 1 July: New rates take effect. Employers must pay updated rates from this date.
Who is affected
National Minimum Wage
~0.7% of workers (~70,000 employees) paid the unrounded floor with no award coverage.
Modern Award employees
~22% of workers (~2.4 million employees) paid against a Modern Award rate.
Enterprise agreement employees
May be benchmarked against awards depending on agreement terms.
Above-award employees
Often re-benchmarked indirectly when employers update their pay structures.
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All FWM pay tools update for 1 July 2026
These tools switch to the new 2026-27 rates as they take effect from 1 July 2026. Use the calculator above to model your rise now:
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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial or tax advice. Always check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.
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